Am I Healthy? (+ Supplements For Healthy Aging*)

In today’s fast-paced world, it can feel like the ways to assess our health are constantly changing, often leaving us overwhelmed and confused about how to make informed choices about our bodies. With so many variables to consider, how do we know if we’re healthy?

Diets, exercise, and standards of beauty change faster than the seasons, making it difficult to assess your own health status. The latest study might warn against what you thought was healthy just last year.

To determine the best ways to check on yourself and your wellbeing, let’s get back to basics. When you know the status of your health, you can make informed changes to get on the right track.

What Does it Mean to Be Healthy?

If you think health means benching your high school PR or fitting into the jeans you wore in college, think again. Even being “in shape” according to basic physical measurements such as height and weight (BMI) doesn’t necessarily equate to health.

Instead, consider what’s going on inside your body and mind. Are your organ systems functioning optimally? Have you adopted techniques to reduce every day stress and keep moods and emotions balanced long term?

Assessing your health should involve a personalized, comprehensive review of your structures, functions, lifestyle, and individual risk factors, including family medical history. Remember: everyone is different. What’s most important for your health might be very different than for your neighbor.

Health and wellness is tricky to track because while we can feel feel generally okay, if we don’t see or feel health concerns, we may wrongly assume we’re healthy.

Going to the gym to lift weights, going for a jog in the forest preserve, and heading to spin class are all good ideas to get moving, build lean muscle, and support healthy cardiovascular function. However, there’s more to the picture than simply “working out harder” to achieve a wellness goal.

Research shows that pushing yourself to the brink of exhaustion does not necessarily lead to good . Runners are not always healthier than walkers, for example. In one study from the American Heart Association, walking was twice as effective as running in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.

The best way to assess your health is to talk with your integrative doctor about your individual risk factors, lifestyle habits, and individual concerns. While some routine screenings can seem like an inconvenience, they are the best way to catch any health issues early enough to make a difference.

Am I Healthy? Five Questions to Ask

Your health is determined by a wide range of factors—not just the number on the scale. To get a feel for your health and wellness, ask yourself some of these important questions:

1. Do I regularly visit healthcare providers for checkups, stay up to date with preventative screenings, and ask questions about symptoms I’m experiencing?
2. Do I feel generally healthy, confident in my body’s structures and functions, and content with my aging process?
3. Am I able to do the things I want to do, exercise without significant burden, engage in the activities I enjoy, and function well in my work or hobbies?
4. How well am I managing occasional stress, daily routines, moods, emotions, and mental wellbeing?
5. Am I confident the exercises I do and the foods I eat are contributing to my wellness goals?

If you’ve answered these questions positively, then congratulations, you are investing the time and energy to continue a healthy, happy lifestyle for the long term.

If you struggled to answer any of these questions, don’t worry. It’s never too late to get back on track and work toward wellness. A comprehensive plan will include appropriate exercises, foods, and supplements to optimize your health.*

Seven Supplements for Healthy Aging* 

Aging is a natural process, and if we’re lucky enough to experience it, we want to enjoy it as much as possible. As certain bodily systems begin to slow down, efficiency in production, utilization, and clean-up in the cells can use some targeted enhancement.

Here are our top seven supplements for aging well:*

1. Vitamin D. This workhorse of an antioxidant supports efficient calcium absorption, building strong teeth and bones, boosting immune function, and maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.* A liposomal delivery format makes it easy to add Vitamin D to your supplement routine.*
2. Polyphenols. As we move, breathe, and digest, the body naturally oxidizes, but these free radical byproducts can lead to cellular damage.*
3. Supplementing with a high-quality polyphenol like Resveratrol can mitigate this damage and support resilient bones, uninhibited blood circulation and healthy aging.
4. Magnesium. Needed by every cell in your body, this mineral facilitates the proper absorption of nutrients, promotes normal nerve firing, and regulates muscle tension and response.* Magnesium citrate is also shown to help maintain healthy blood pressure and cardiovascular function.*
5. CoQ10. Nourish and power the heart and other high-energy organs by supporting the body’s natural cellular energy production.* Physician formulated Co-Q10 - DMG  helps to boost mental energy and physical stamina, helping you answer “yes” to more of our five questions.*
6. Curcumin. This herbal supplement is liver-protective and helps to maintain cholesterol in healthy ranges.* Formulations like Enz-flame™ blend curcumin with boswellia, ginger, and proteolytic enzymes to calm overactive immune responses, promote joint lubrication, and support range of motion and flexibility.*
7. Omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids are readily found in fish oils, and they are essential to the integrity of cell membranes.* For healthy hair and skin, along with maintaining balanced hormones and healthy cholesterol levels, consider adding Omega-3s to your daily regimen.*
8. Mushrooms. Certain mushrooms can support the immune system and boost overall health.* Maitake-DMG™ liquid drops promote the activity of macrophages and T killer cells, normalize cell apoptosis, and encourage the release of interleukins and cytokines to fight seasonal or environmental issues.

Related Content: 5 THINGS THAT GET BETTER WITH AGE: EMBRACING HEALTHY AGING

Takeaway

It’s not always easy to know if you’re making the healthiest decisions for yourself, especially when the guidance continues to shift. Asking yourself questions like “am I healthy?” or “am I confident in my exercise routine?” can lead to productive discussions with your primary care provider on how to ensure you are taking the right steps toward wellness.

It’s never too late to start making a positive change for your health. To begin, take a look at your food choices, active hobbies, and individual risk factors, as well as your supplementation options.

Supplementing with high-quality formulations that target the immune system, cardiovascular function, and bone strength can help you age gracefully and enjoy comfort and mobility for years to come.*